Found a Gillette Adjustable TTO Razor

Hi guys I am new to the site and I came across this razor in my Grandfather old workshop. My grandmother said that this was a razor that he used and she was surprise it was out in the workshop. I did some research on the razor, I believe its a Gillette Adjustable TTO Razor from 1974 (code under the Razor head was U1).

I am really wanting to get this all cleaned up to the point where I could use it since now that I found it now, it has that sentimental value since it was my grandfather's razor. How do you guys suggest I clean it and get it back in good shape? It also looks like one of the Guards is slightly bent, any suggestion on getting it bent back straight? You can see that the Guard is slightly bent out of place in the picture, its on the left side of the razor head. I also have a question on the adjustable part of the razor, How do I know if that area is working correct? Is there anyway to tell if it is working correct?

Thanks in advance!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1201.jpg

It´s a 1974 Gillette Black Beauty. Sorry but that is all i can tell you, some more pictures from different angles would be great for evaluating the condition of that bent guard.

That sure is a black beauty. It's a very desirable razor. When I found mine the guard was bent as well but I was able to carefully bend it back in place. When I was solely DE shaving it was a favorite in my rotation. Make sure you open the hanger doors before you adjust the setting.

I don't have much experience fixing DEs, but I hope everything works out for you with this razor. Sure wish I had one of my grandfathers razors. Nice find.

I'm sure someone will be around to give some help.

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Hi guys I am new to the site and I came across this razor in my Grandfather old workshop. My grandmother said that this was a razor that he used and she was surprise it was out in the workshop. I did some research on the razor, I believe its a Gillette Adjustable TTO Razor from 1974 (code under the Razor head was U1).

I am really wanting to get this all cleaned up to the point where I could use it since now that I found it now, it has that sentimental value since it was my grandfather's razor. How do you guys suggest I clean it and get it back in good shape? It also looks like one of the Guards is slightly bent, any suggestion on getting it bent back straight? You can see that the Guard is slightly bent out of place in the picture, its on the left side of the razor head. I also have a question on the adjustable part of the razor, How do I know if that area is working correct? Is there anyway to tell if it is working correct?

Thanks in advance!

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I believe that I have an identical DE here in my home!

Now! How do you know that It's Working? (I would presume that you want to know if it's 'Adjusting').

Open the razor and look down at the area that holds the blade then pay close attention as you turn the adjustment from say 1-9 and you will see 4 rectangles that will ever so slightly move up and down! That is if it is 'working'!

Chances are that all is fine! Now! To clean that up get a can of Mothers Mag Wheel Polish and an old tooth brush and go to town! I also recommend 3M's Hard Plastic Polish for the handle. OH! The Mothers will also help clean up the handle!

Enjoy the ride!

Worry about the alinement of the razor until you find out if the razor is functional!

Thank you guys for your fast replies. That's good to know that its a Black Beauty, the pics I found of it they all had it as an Adjustable TTO. Thanks for correcting me on that one. NunoSa I will attach another pic of the guard in another angle for you. Ls2brew, how did you bend the guard back straight again, if you don't mind me asking?

I hope these are better pics of the bent in the guard, let me know if you want another pic.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...IMAG1204-2.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1204.jpg

Well i think it´s not too bended, so with pliers and a little bit of care you can straighten the guard again. But wait for more experienced people to give some advise.

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

I believe that I have an identical DE here in my home!

Now! How do you know that It's Working? (I would presume that you want to know if it's 'Adjusting').

Open the razor and look down at the area that holds the blade then pay close attention as you turn the adjustment from say 1-9 and you will see 4 rectangles that will ever so slightly move up and down! That is if it is 'working'!

Chances are that all is fine! Now! To clean that up get a can of Mothers Mag Wheel Polish and an old tooth brush and go to town! I also recommend 3M's Hard Plastic Polish for the handle. OH! The Mothers will also help clean up the handle!

Enjoy the ride!

Worry about the alinement of the razor until you find out if the razor is functional!

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Cudarunner, It looks like its wants to move up and it looks like there is a bunch of gunk build up around that area which is preventing it from moving up. I was thinking about putting it in warm water and maybe a little dish soap to see if that loosen it up.

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Cudarunner, It looks like its wants to move up and it looks like there is a bunch of gunk build up around that area which is preventing it from moving up. I was thinking about putting it in warm water and maybe a little dish soap to see if that loosen it up.

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I just sent you a message, please get back to me! :tu

Welcome to SRP. I'm no expert but, since that never stopped me before, what I used to do to clean TTO DEs ........ Get a rubbermaid container with a tight fitting lid. The container should be large enough that the DE will lay down in the bottom. Get a pump spray bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles, open it and dump enough of the contents in to cover the DE. Leave it in the mix for maybe five minutes. Scrub with a soft toothbrush, q-tips in tight areas. Rinse under the tap.

I once left an old grungy German metal slant in the mix and forget about it for an hour or so. The plating came off the metal. So give it five minutes and check it. The Scrubbing Bubbles should help loosen the grunge enough to allow you to begine working the TTO and maybe the adjustment ring. The ring should 'click' at each diget, or thereabouts. In the first photo you posted that slot facing out, under the head, above the ring, has a flat spring and it should be visible if you look directly in there.

Soap would get under the adjustment ring, dry and cake it up. You might need to put the head down in a water glass or something and put just enough liquid in there to cover the adjustment ring and let it soak. Mineral oil is what a lot of guys used to use to lub the old 'restored' TTOs. I used a rubbermaid container, same as with the Scrubbing Bubbles. I'd let the razor drown in the oil overnight, to let it work into all the nooks and crannies.

Some guys boil old froze up DEs, I've never tried that approach. If you have access to an ultrasonic cleaner, that might be a good way to go. If you are friends with a tattoo artist, a gunsmith, they usually have one. Finally, I have never fooled with that particular model Gillette. If that is rubber on the handle, I'm not sure how it would stand up to chemicals, such as Scrubbing Bubbles.

On the bent guard. Back in the '60s, when one of the TTOs was $2.00 or $3.00, if you dropped it and bent it, you usually just bought another. Anyway, if you want to straighten that guard you have to push it up against something where the other side won't get bent in the process. Maybe a pair of Channel lock pliers could grab under the other side, under the other guard, and lightly push/straighten the flare on the bent one. They are plated brass so be gentle whatever you do. :gl:

Edit; the 'tight fitting lid' on the cotainer, is so that you can seal it and use the stuff again, and again. I've got the same juice I bought 7 years ago.

Second, on the Scrubbing Bubbles. If you want it to really shine after the scrub, use some Mothers Polish, old tooth brush and a clean cloth, this will make it shine like new. If you do decide to bend it back, make sure the doors are open. Use great care because they are both tougher and more brittle then it looks. They are great shavers, and it is a crime they no longer make them

Well guys, sorry I got busy last night. Well I let it soak overnight in hot water and I put some dish soap in there since I don't have any scrubbing bubbles in the house, I let it soak all night and this is what I saw at the bottom of the glass this morning. The metal spring at the adjuster (sorry I don't know the correct term) was sitting at the bottom of the glass. Am I screwed now?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1217.jpg

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Well guys, sorry I got busy last night. Well I let it soak overnight in hot water and I put some dish soap in there since I don't have any scrubbing bubbles in the house, I let it soak all night and this is what I saw at the bottom of the glass this morning. The metal spring at the adjuster (sorry I don't know the correct term) was sitting at the bottom of the glass. Am I screwed now?

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Not necessarily. First of all, if the ring turns it still should move the base plate up or down which is what adjusts the blade exposure. I've heard of guys repairing these. I have one that I took apart, and put back together, but the spring was broken and I never replaced it. The adjustment works but is not held in place by tension from the spring. So you have to manually adjust it and hold it while you shave. Anyway, here is one on how to disassemble an adjustable. I haven't watched it so I cannot vouch for it. :gl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67G61jYHSEU

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not necessarily. First of all, if the ring turns it still should move the base plate up or down which is what adjusts the blade exposure. I've heard of guys repairing these. I have one that I took apart, and put back together, but the spring was broken and I never replaced it. The adjustment works but is not held in place by tension from the spring. So you have to manually adjust it and hold it while you shave. Anyway, here is one on how to disassemble an adjustable. I haven't watched it so I cannot vouch for it. :gl:

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Thanks for the information JimmyHAD, that's good to know that it will still work with out the spring also thanks on the video as well. Well I did spent a few hours this afternoon trying to rebuild the spring. This is my progress on it so far. I just need to bend it to the shape of the original and clean it up some more. I just hope I get it bent correctly when I bend it to shape.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1219.jpg

Shaved with one of these razors for the first time yesterday, awesome shave, I found it gave a smoother shave than my modern adjustable with less effort. Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Thanks for the information JimmyHAD, that's good to know that it will still work with out the spring also thanks on the video as well. Well I did spent a few hours this afternoon trying to rebuild the spring. This is my progress on it so far. I just need to bend it to the shape of the original and clean it up some more. I just hope I get it bent correctly when I bend it to shape.

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Well good luck with it. Check around, you may be able to find someone who has a replacement spring, or check ebay for a cheap replacement, and scavenge the spring out of it.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well good luck with it. Check around, you may be able to find someone who has a replacement spring, or check ebay for a cheap replacement, and scavenge the spring out of it.

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Hey Jimmy

I just watched the video and While I Do believe it is 'Overly Simplistic' but it would make sense. I have the identical razor in the video and the OP's. The OP's has what I believe is a press fit piece at the bottom instead of a threaded piece so that would be something to deal with. Here's the picture that I'd sent him showing how the slots look very similar and that a donor razor might work for replacement parts. It would be really cool if he can restore his grandfather's razor all on his own by making the replacement spring work.:tu

Attachment 169216

Thank you guys so much for all the feed back it really means a lot to me. Well I am going to give it a shot and see if the spring I made works. Money is a little tight for me right now and if I have the skills to make one I think I will go that route first. I always like a challenge and this is a good challenge for me. This spring is a natural bend, I didn't temper the cooper just because of how thin the cooper has to be. If this one fails me I will make another one where I temper the cooper. So the top one is the old spring and the bottom one is the one I made this afternoon. I know the one I made is a little longer then the original one, I just haven't cut it to size yet. Now it just pulling the razor apart and to see if the spring I made works. Thanks again everyone for your feedback.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1220.jpg

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

The OP's has what I believe is a press fit piece at the bottom instead of a threaded piece so that would be something to deal with.

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Not sure if we're talking about the same thing but ....... when I was new I bought a '34 Aristocrat open comb where the TTO doors didn't function by turning the knob on the end of the handle. You had to push up on the knob and then turn to lock down. I investigated it some, and found that it was a press fit. I used pliers with some thin leather as a 'softener' and pressed the end of the tube just over the knob. Tightened up and the TTO was back in action.

Hey Guys I got a spring made that the works on the razor, it took 6 attempts to get it correct but I got one made. Now I am having problems getting aligned correct now. The spring is works I am just having issues getting everything aligned correctly now. Can anyone give me any pointers on getting it aligned correct?

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Hey Guys I got a spring made that the works on the razor, it took 6 attempts to get it correct but I got one made. Now I am having problems getting aligned correct now. The spring is works I am just having issues getting everything aligned correctly now. Can anyone give me any pointers on getting it aligned correct?

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Go back to you-tube and type 'Gillette Adjustable' in the search bar. There are tutorial/videos on adjusting the timing of the ring and the doors. I haven't watched them myself, but I saw them when I posted the link to take one apart.

I thought I would let you guys know that I was able to make a spring for it and My grandfather's 1974 Gillette Black Beauty Razor is fully restored and working. I can't wait to try the razor out. I took Roy(cudarunner) advice and I decided to not bend the bent guard back to place. If my grandfather shaved with the razor in that condition so will I. I would like to thank everything for their input on this restore, it means so much to me and I don't know how to thank all you guys for your help. Thanks you everyone!

Here is a pic of the 1974 Black Beauty in her finished state. Also if you guys would like to know how I made the spring, I would be happy to write up a post and post something up on the forum when I have some time. Just let me know if you guys would like to know how I made the spring.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...e/IMAG1248.jpg

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

Just let me know if you guys would like to know how I made the spring.

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Does a bum defecate in a boxcar ? Of course we want to know how to make the spring !! :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by LilRobert

I thought I would let you guys know that I was able to make a spring for it and My grandfather's 1974 Gillette Black Beauty Razor is fully restored and working. I can't wait to try the razor out. I took Roy(cudarunner) advice and I decided to not bend the bent guard back to place. If my grandfather shaved with the razor in that condition so will I. I would like to thank everything for their input on this restore, it means so much to me and I don't know how to thank all you guys for your help. Thanks you everyone!

Here is a pic of the 1974 Black Beauty in her finished state. Also if you guys would like to know how I made the spring, I would be happy to write up a post and post something up on the forum when I have some time. Just let me know if you guys would like to know how I made the spring.

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Robert When Are You Going To Shave With It?? Inquring Minds Want To Know! :rofl2::roflmao :rofl2::roflmao :rofl2::tu

Let me know if you need blades/I can send a couple of brands! :shrug:

Hey guys sorry about my delay but my sister had my niece so I ended up going up to where my sister lives to see my new niece.

When I am able to get a post made up of building the spring I will post it up. Thanks you guys for all your help it really means a lot.

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Robert When Are You Going To Shave With It?? Inquring Minds Want To Know! :rofl2::roflmao :rofl2::roflmao :rofl2::tu

Let me know if you need blades/I can send a couple of brands! :shrug:

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Roy, I am hope to try and shave with it soon if I can. And to answer you I really could use some blades if you are willing to help me with some blades. I will pm you.